ASVAB Retest – When can you retest?

Each military branch uses ASVAB scores to determine a person’s eligibility for enlistment. The test is formally known as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. Currently, certain minimum scores are required in order to qualify for service within individual branches. An individual needs to perform well on this test because ASVAB retest procedures can take a large chunk of time. Plus, low scores can hurt a person’s opportunities in the military.

The Acronyms: ASVAB, AFQT, and MOS

After taking the ASVAB, individuals receive an Armed Forces Qualification Test score. This score determines a person’s eligibility for service in the military. Scores are broken into five categories with varying ranges. However, anyone whose score falls in category five (0-9) is legally prohibited from joining the Armed Forces. Individual branches will then take certain scores from the ASVAB to create military occupational specialty scores (MOS). Such scores determine a person’s eligibility for specific positions.

Basic ASVAT Retest Rules

Retesting rules for the ASVAB are fairly simple and straightforward. After the initial test, an applicant must wait 30 days for a second test opportunity. Applicants are given this waiting period to study and improve their chances of a higher score. Subsequent retests require a six-month waiting period, though, so applicants need to take the first two opportunities seriously. Unfortunately, very few exceptions are made for an ASVAB retest outside these guidelines.

Branch-Specific ASVAB Retesting Rules

Individual military branches often feature their own rules for retesting, too. For instance, most branches won’t allow retests for individuals with unexpired but qualified AFQT scores. The coast guard mandates a six-month waiting period for individuals looking to boost their MOS scores. Without a doubt, military hopefuls need to keep these general and branch-specific ASVAB retest policies in mind. Failure to do so can lead to problems later on.

Highest Score Versus Latest Score & Scoring Versus Reality

Applicants should consider two other policies regarding the ASVAB. First, military branches utilize scores from the most recent test taken. It doesn’t matter whether the most recent score isn’t that person’s best performance. Second, recruiters can require a slightly modified retest for individuals with possibly invalid scores. This includes individuals that possibly cheated or simply performed outside their actual abilities. In certain cases, these two factors can cause plenty of problems for applicants.

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is designed to accurately gauge a person’s abilities. Such a test doesn’t come with a pass or fail threshold besides the minimum scores for enlistment qualifications. With that in mind, applicants can always take a retest if they believe the results were inaccurate. Applicants absolutely need to score highly on the initial test or the first retest. Otherwise, they’ll find themselves set back a minimum of six months, which can be devastating.

These days, the military is seeing more and more people attempting to enlist in various branches. An overwhelming number of applicants are available, and not all of them qualify for enlistment. The ASVAB allows the military to determine who fits the mold for service and who doesn’t. Therefore, ASVAB retest rules are very strict and can’t be circumnavigated under normal circumstances. An individual that doesn’t take this test seriously could find themselves unqualified and unfit for service.